Belmonte pushes Quezon City sports for all

MANILA, Philippines - Vice mayoral candidate Joy Belmonte has definite plans to launch a city-wide sports development program if she is elected to the post on May 10.

Apart from improving the various health services initiated by her father, outgoing Mayor Feliciano “SB” Belmonte (running for Congress in the fourth district), Belmonte said, “We will push for a Sports for All (program) in QC to develop a healthy and alert citizenry.”

She said Section 19, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution states that ”the State shall provide physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions and amateur sports, including training for international competition, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.”

All education institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.”

Belmonte said the upgrading of tertiary hospitals and setting up of medical centers and regular medical-dental missions are in place.

She said that while the city already runs several hospitals, it is very important to equally develop parks and playgrounds for residents and even outsiders to make physical activities a way of life.

Recuperating patients discharged from hospitals are encouraged to see the burgeoning green areas in Quezon City, Belmonte said.

She said the training of future sportsmen for national and international competitions will come naturally as trainers see the potentials of these athletes.

Quoting a former Philippine Sports Commission chief, Belmonte said, “We in Quezon City and elsewhere, should develop our mental and physical attributes to become ‘citizen sportsmen’.”